Innovation Used in Security-as-a-Service Platform Monitors and Enforces Security Policies on Devices from the Cloud

HERNDON, Va. – Dec. 12, 2018 – OPAQ, the network security cloud company, today announced that it has received a patent from the United States Patent & Trademark Office for its software-defined network segmentation technology that monitors connection requests on endpoint devices and transparently enforces security policies to prevent lateral attacks on corporate networks (Patent # 10,122,760). The patented approach is part of the OPAQ Cloud, a platform-as-a-service that enables managed service providers to deliver Fortune 100-grade security to midsize enterprises. With this technology, OPAQ is the only cloud security service that can offer seamless enforcement of security policies at both the network and the endpoint.

“The details of the recent SamSam Ransomware indictments highlighted the way that attackers spread within internal networks to infect entire organizations,” said Tom Cross, CTO of OPAQ. “Talk to any security professional, and they’ll tell you that network segmentation is an important best practice that can help mitigate the spread of malware and lateral movement by attackers. Unfortunately, a lot of organizations don’t do a good job at segmentation, in part because the traditional approach of using VLANs, routers, and switches is too brittle and expensive to maintain. OPAQ’s breakthrough technology simplifies segmentation by allowing dynamic policies that respond automatically as users move within a campus. Sometimes referred to as microsegmentation, this technology enables service providers to help their customers adopt a Zero Trust security posture entirely using cloud-based controls, without having to perform expensive truck rolls in order to configure on premises equipment.”

The agents monitor connections to and from each endpoint, and assesses them against security policies from the controllers, which can adapt in real time to changes on the network.

Service providers gain complete visibility into and control over east-west traffic on customer networks, with the ability to craft policies and rapidly respond to incidents.

The endpoint agents can be configured from the cloud to perform automated responses (enforce step-up/multi-factor authentication, block a connection request, quarantine the device, etc.) when a security policy violation occurs, or an additional authentication is required.

About OPAQ

OPAQ is the premier network security cloud company. OPAQ’s platform-as-a-service enables partners to deliver Fortune 100-grade security-as-a-service to midsize enterprises on a fully encrypted SD-WAN optimized for speed and performance. With OPAQ, service providers are equipped with a simplified ability to centrally monitor security performance and compliance maturity, generate reports, manage security infrastructure, and enforce policies – all through a single interface. This empowers OPAQ partners to grow revenue and margins, eliminate complexity and costs, and establish a competitive advantage that helps them attract and retain customers. Based in Northern Virginia, OPAQ is privately held and is funded by Greenspring Associates, Columbia Capital, Harmony Partners, and Zero-G, Inc. To learn more, visit www.opaq.com.

HERNDON, Va. – Dec. 4, 2018– OPAQ, the network security cloud company, today announced it was named one of CRN Magazine’s Top 10 Hottest Cyber Security Startups of 2018 for its technology and channel program innovations, new funding and seasoned executive team.

According to CRN, OPAQ stood out from the crowd this year with the rollout of a 100 percent channel sales model that enables service provider partners to efficiently deliver Fortune 100-grade security via the cloud to midsize enterprises. OPAQ had also acquired FourV Systems, which bolstered the platform’s security analysis, metrics and reporting capabilities, received $22.5M of new funding, and announced the appointment of former CA Technologies, Riverbed, and Cisco executive Lynn Tinney as global channel chief.

“Network and security modernization is driving market demand for a single, fully integrated WAN and security solution that service providers can simply deliver from the cloud,” said Glenn Hazard, Chairman and CEO of OPAQ. “We are honored by CRN’s recognition of the value that our cloud platform is delivering to our partners and to the customers that rely on them for cost-effective, on-demand enterprise-grade security protection.”

About OPAQ

OPAQ is the premier network security cloud company. OPAQ’s platform-as-a-service enables partners to deliver Fortune 100-grade security-as-a-service to midsize enterprises on a fully encrypted SD-WAN optimized for speed and performance. With OPAQ, service providers are equipped with a simplified ability to centrally monitor security performance and compliance maturity, generate reports, manage security infrastructure, and enforce policies – all through a single interface. This empowers OPAQ partners to grow revenue and margins, eliminate complexity and costs, and establish a competitive advantage that helps them attract and retain customers. Based in Northern Virginia, OPAQ is privately held and is funded by Greenspring Associates, Columbia Capital, Harmony Partners, and Zero-G, Inc. To learn more, visit www.opaq.com.

Former CA, Riverbed and Cisco Executive to Lead Global Channel Program for Security-as-a-Service Platform Provider

OPAQ, the network security cloud company, today announced the appointment of industry veteran Lynn D. Tinney as Senior Vice President of Channels. Lynn has successfully led channel sales for CA Technologies, Riverbed, and Cisco. She will be responsible for growing revenues through the company’s 100% channel sales model, as well as partner strategy and execution to capitalize on the growing mid-market demand for cloud-delivered networking and security.

“Lynn is one of the industry’s top channel sales executives, and has built and managed billion dollar revenue streams for leading security and networking technology companies,” said Glenn C. Hazard, Chairman and CEO of OPAQ. “As a result of our rapid growth, the need for such an individual was critical. Lynn’s experience and leadership comes at a pivotal time for OPAQ.”

Lynn D. Tinney joins OPAQ from CA Technologies where she was Vice President Partners, North America. Prior to CA she was Vice President of Americas Channels at Riverbed Technology where she opened new markets, segments and verticals. As Director of Strategy and Planning for the Americas at Cisco, her team delivered $7B in annual revenues. She has also held executive channel positions with Siemens and Enterasys. Lynn has been recognized in the 2017, 2016 and 2015 CRN Women of the Channel Power 100 rankings. She holds an M.B.A. from the Bentley University McCallum School of Business.

“OPAQ’s security-as-a-service platform enables channel partners to offer the right set of services to each customer from the cloud, without making upfront capital investments in hardware or software,” said Lynn Tinney, SVP Channels for OPAQ. “This helps partners scale their businesses in ways never before possible and deliver the level of enterprise-grade security protection and networking performance their customers need.”

OPAQ, the network security cloud company, today announced that customer Nyhart, a privately held employee benefits and actuary service company, has been recognized with a prestigious 2019 CSO50 Award from IDG’s CSO for its managed security project. Nyhart was selected for replacing its hardware and software security infrastructure with the OPAQ security-as-a-service platform to achieve Fortune-100 grade protection from threats, higher network performance and lower IT operating and management costs.

The annual CSO50 awards recognize a select group of organizations for security projects that have demonstrated outstanding business value and thought leadership. Nyhart will be honored at a special awards dinner on April 10 during the CSO50 Conference + Awards at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. A full list of the CSO50 Award honorees is posted online at: https://bit.ly/2za5PCv.

“Following a series of acquisitions, we recognized the need for more advanced protection against cyber threats than we were able to implement and manage with our in-house resources, so we set out to find an alternative,” said Dave Sherman, CIO of Nyhart. “The OPAQ Cloud has allowed us to replace a complex set of individual products with a single cloud service. As an added benefit, our locations are now connected over OPAQ’s high-speed, encrypted SD-WAN instead of much slower and more expensive MPLS links.”

Nyhart is headquartered in Indianapolis with offices in Chicago, Atlanta, San Diego, Houston, Denver, Kansas City and St. Louis. The company had been growing rapidly, both organically and through acquisitions, and its small IT department was stretched very thin supporting eight offices, with more planned domestically and internationally. A sprawling patchwork of networks, devices, applications and mobile users had become too complex to manage and protect. Nyhart eliminated an array of hardware and software products with OPAQ’s fully automated and orchestrated cloud platform.

“Like most midsize enterprises, Nyhart has limited security resources and expertise,” said Kenneth Ammon, Chief Strategy Officer of OPAQ. “The OPAQ Cloud enables Nyhart to consume Fortune-100 grade protection as a utility so they can invest in growing their business.”

The OPAQ Cloud protects Nyhart with best-of-breed security that includes fully integrated next-generation firewall, endpoint protection, web application firewall and Cloud SIEM capabilities. OPAQ’s fully encrypted SD-WAN also eliminates trade-offs between protection and performance across all of Nyhart’s distributed locations since more than half of the company’s traffic never touches the Internet.

“This year’s class of CSO50 award winners raise the bar on security innovation,” said Amy Bennett, executive editor, CSO. “While delivering business value and demonstrating thought leadership are the metrics on which they are measured, the greater value is in the peer-to-peer sharing of ideas across a range of industries, across company sizes, for-profit and not-for-profit, public and private. The magic really happens on the stage at the CSO50 conference when these projects are brought to life in presentations and panel discussions. It is an honor to give them the recognition they deserve.”

About the CSO50 Awards The CSO50 Awards recognizes 50 organizations for security projects and initiatives that demonstrate outstanding business value and thought leadership. The CSO50 Awards are scored according to a uniform set of criteria by a panel of judges that includes security leaders and industry experts. The 2019 awards will be presented at the CSO50 Conference + Awards, April 8- 10, 2019, at the Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona.

About CSO CSO is the premier content and community resource for security decision-makers leading “business risk management” efforts within their organization. For more than a decade, CSO’s award-winning web site (CSOonline.com), executive conferences, strategic marketing services and research have equipped security decision-makers to mitigate both IT and corporate/physical risk for their organizations and provided opportunities for security vendors looking to reach this audience. To assist CSOs in educating their organizations’ employees on corporate and personal security practices, CSO also produces the quarterly newsletter Security Smart. CSO is published by IDG Communications, Inc. Company information is available at www.idg.com.

IT Security Researcher, Entrepreneur and Advocate Recognized for his Contributions with 2018 Reboot Leadership Award

OPAQ, the network security cloud company, today announced that its CTO Tom Cross has been recognized as a Reboot Leadership Award 2018 recipient by SC Media, publishers of SC Magazine, in the C-Suite category. The annual awards honor executive and professional leaders for their unique, inventive and inspiring contributions that improve security, shape the industry, provide thought leadership, and otherwise have a positive impact on cybersecurity.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by SC Media alongside so many great computer security professionals,” said Tom Cross, CTO of OPAQ. “We are constantly seeing the development of new attack techniques and new threats, yet millions of users are able to rely on the Internet every day because of the efforts of talented people throughout this industry, who work hard to confront these challenges.”

Tom Cross is currently CTO of OPAQ, which enables service providers to make Fortune 100-grade security accessible to midsize enterprises via the cloud over a fully encrypted SD-WAN. As CTO of Drawbridge Networks, he led the technical team that invented dynamic endpoint micro-segmentation security technology. He was previously Director of Security Research at Lancope and Manager of IBM Internet Security Systems X-Force Advanced Research team. Tom co-founded Industrial Memetics, which developed an early social networking platform called MemeStreams. He also co-founded EFGA (Electronic Frontiers Georgia).

https://opaq.com/wp-content/uploads/Featured-Press-Release-Desktop.jpg6831024Stephen McCarneyhttps://opaq.com/wp-content/uploads/opaq-logo-tagline.pngStephen McCarney2018-09-04 09:04:152018-10-29 23:32:26OPAQ CTO Tom Cross Named an Industry Leader of the Year by SC Media

According to 451 Research, “OPAQ’s cloud-based network-security-as-a-service platform simplifies traditional approaches to providing security services, delivering a robust set of security capabilities that help reduce complexity and minimize costs.”

As part of the agreement, OPAQ has selected Palo Alto Networks as the exclusive provider of next-generation firewall technology for the OPAQ cloud platform. OPAQ has deployed Palo Alto Networks appliances in its data centers across the US, and will scale up capacity to support growing demand among MSPs and MSSPs and their midsize enterprise customers.

“This alliance enables our channel partners to seamlessly deploy advanced firewall security protection through OPAQ’s fully automated and orchestrated cloud platform,” said Ken Ammon, Chief Strategy Officer for OPAQ. “Palo Alto Networks is a foundational partner for us, as their technology is an integral part of the security stack in the OPAQ Cloud.”

OPAQ’s enterprise-grade security is delivered through a per user subscription model that tightly integrates a fully encrypted SD-WAN and best-of-breed security capabilities powered by Palo Alto Networks and other trusted security technologies as well as OPAQ’s own patented technologies. It enables service providers to deliver robust protection, centrally monitor and manage customer networks, enforce policies, and generate customizable reports for security and compliance through a single interface. Midsize enterprise clients using OPAQ’s security-as-a-service have decreased costs by more than 40 percent and accelerated deployment time by 91%.

Cloud-Delivered Security Platform Enables MSPs and MSSPs to Make Enterprise-Grade Protection Accessible to Midsize Companies as a Service

OPAQ, the premier network security cloud company, today announced it was named to the CRN® 2018 Emerging Vendors list in the security category. Published annually, the listing recognizes recently founded, up-and-coming technology suppliers who are shaping the future of the IT channel through unique technological innovations.

OPAQ was selected for enabling service providers to deliver enterprise-grade protection without managing a multitude of security products. Using the OPAQ Cloud, MSPs and MSSPs can profitably scale their businesses by eliminating hardware/software investments and onsite service calls through centralized provisioning, configuration and management of security services from a web-based portal. Partners using OPAQ have decreased costs by more than 40 percent and accelerated deployment time by 91%.

“The technology suppliers on CRN’s 2018 Emerging Vendors list are creating a bright future for the IT channel, aggressively developing products to meet complex IT market demands, while positively impacting the bottom line of solution providers,” said Bob Skelley, CEO, The Channel Company. “The array of leading-edge products delivered by these organizations will have a lasting impact on the channel for years to come.

“Being named to the CRN Emerging Vendors list is an honor and important validation of the value we provide for our channel partners and their customers,” said Glenn C. Hazard, Chairman and CEO of OPAQ. “Midsize enterprises need and want robust enterprise-grade security, but complexity and cost has put it out of their reach. These challenges are magnified for service providers, who are helping companies secure their networks. OPAQ’s cloud platform simplifies the way security is delivered and managed, enabling channel partners to quickly and profitably scale their businesses.”

The OPAQ Cloud is delivered through a subscription model that tightly integrates a fully encrypted SD-WAN and best-of-breed security capabilities powered by Palo Alto Networks, Cloudflare and other trusted security technologies as well as OPAQ’s own patented technologies. OPAQ enables partners to deliver end-to-end network security across distributed infrastructures and hybrid IT and cloud environments.

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com

OPAQ, the premier network security cloud company, today announced that it was named a “Cool Vendor” by Gartner, Inc. in the recently published Cool Vendors in Security for Midsize Enterprises 2018 by analysts Neil Wynne, Adam Hils, Toby Bussa and Saniye Burcu Alaybeyi. The report evaluates vendors that offer a compelling combination of innovation and midsize enterprise suitability. According to Gartner, “Midsize enterprise IT leaders responsible for security and risk management should familiarize themselves with these impactful approaches to improving security posture with finite resources.”

“We consider Gartner’s recognition of OPAQ as a Cool Vendor validation for the value that midsize enterprises are receiving from the OPAQ Cloud,” said Glenn C. Hazard, Chairman and CEO of OPAQ. “These companies face the same sophisticated cyber threats as their larger counterparts, but complexity and costs have put enterprise-grade security out of their reach. We’ve simplified the way security is delivered, and have made best-of-breed protection easily accessible for midsize enterprises — at a predictable operating expense price.”

OPAQ’s security-as-a-service model includes tight integration with a fully encrypted SD-WAN and best-of-breed security capabilities powered by Palo Alto Networks, Cloudflare, and other trusted security technologies as well as OPAQ’s own patented technologies. Using the OPAQ Cloud, service providers can deliver enterprise-grade protection without managing a multitude of security products, centrally monitor and manage customer networks, enforce policies, and generate customizable reports for security and compliance through a single interface. Clients using OPAQ’s security-as-a-service have decreased costs by more than 40 percent and accelerated deployment time by 91%.

Gartner Disclaimer

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

According to the Verizon 2017 Data Breach Investigations Report, 81% of breaches leveraged stolen or weak passwords. Adding 2FA capabilities to both internal and cloud applications has become a best practice, as companies attempt to combat the rampant increase in phishing attacks, ransomware and other threats.

Duo verifies the identity of the user and the security posture of the device before allowing access to any critical applications. The integration of Duo and the OPAQ platform enables partners to centrally enforce user authentication and device authorization as a component of the cloud-delivered security service.

Duo can be used to verify users accessing the OPAQ 360 Management Portal and/or non-IT users to protect network access and specific high risk applications, data and assets. It is also integrated with OPAQ’s software-defined network segmentation technology, whose asset management, micro-segmentation, and quarantine capabilities are linked to Active Directory/LDAP and delivered through an endpoint agent.

“Incorporating Duo’s capabilities into OPAQ empowers our partners to deliver enhanced access control best practices,” said Ken Ammon, Chief Strategy Officer for OPAQ. “Duo is best-in-class when it comes to zero-trust security. This partnership allows us to extend our enterprise-grade protection capabilities, which managed security services providers can centrally control and enforce from the OPAQ 360 portal.”

“Both Duo and OPAQ strongly believe in democratizing security best-practices for organizations of all sizes. In delivering effective security for our customers, both companies are taking a cloud and mobile-first approach,” said Ruoting Sun, Head of Technology Partnerships for Duo. “This partnership between Duo and OPAQ makes it easy for mutual partners to ensure that only trusted users and devices are accessing OPAQ 360.”

Availability

The integration of the OPAQ cloud platform and Duo is now complete. Managed security services providers can combine the OPAQ Cloud and Duo to provide a tightly coupled offering.

About Duo Security

Duo helps defend organizations against breaches through its easy and effective cloud-based Trusted Access product suite. The company verifies the identity of users, and the health of their devices, before granting them access to applications. Duo’s intentional balance of security and usability has led them to be a trusted partner to thousands of customers world-wide, including Dresser-Rand, Facebook, K-Swiss, Random House, Etsy, Yelp, Zillow, Paramount Pictures, and more. The Ann Arbor, Michigan-based company maintains offices in Austin, Texas; San Mateo, California; and London, and is backed by Benchmark, Google Ventures, Index Ventures, Lead Edge Capital, Meritech Capital Partners, Radar Partners, Redpoint Ventures, True Venture, and Workday. Visit duo.com to find out more.

OPAQ, the network security cloud company, today announced that its Chief Strategy Officer, Kenneth Ammon and Tom Turkot, VP of Client Solutions at Arlington Computer Products will co-present a session on the benefits of deploying Palo Alto Networks® next-generation firewalls as a service at the upcoming Palo Alto Ignite ‘18 USA conference in Anaheim, CA.

WHO: Ken Ammon is Chief Strategy Officer for OPAQ Networks and a recognized expert in security and managed services. He was founder and president of NetSec, one of the first managed security service providers (MSSPs), which was acquired by Verizon Business. Previously, he held executive management positions with Xceedium, a privileged access management vendor acquired by CA Technologies, and Trusted Computer Solutions, which was acquired by Raytheon.

Tom Turkot is Vice President, Client Solutions at Arlington Computer Products, Inc. (ACP), a Zaf Group Company and leading national IT solutions provider. Tom leads the Client Solutions team which services a variety of mid to large size enterprises. Prior to ACP, Tom held senior level positions with IBM Global Services, Greenwich Technology Partners, Lenovo and Insight. He is a frequent speaker at industry events and has written articles in a variety of technical publications.

WHAT: According to the 2018 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, over half of last year’s data breaches targeted smaller enterprises. In the cross-hairs of cyber attacks, midsize companies need access to the same advanced protection capabilities used by larger enterprises including Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls. However, cost, complexity and lack of skilled personnel have kept next-generation firewalls out of reach. In this session, “Real-World Lessons: Deploying Next-Generation Firewalls as-a-Service from the Cloud”, Ken and Tom will use real-world case studies to illustrate how using a cloud-based security-as-a-service approach can provide enterprise-grade security benefits to midsize enterprises. They will present best practices and discuss the benefits of the firewall-as-a-service model including the ability to centrally manage and enforce policies, eliminate capital investments in hardware and software, and reduce IT management costs.